Friday, October 23, 2009

Avoid lawsuits, aim lower sez Taser

New guidelines have been issued by the makers of allegedly non-lethal citizen suppressant, Taser International. This new policy has nothing whatsoever to do with the 350 people who have died in the USA after shocks from tasers:

"Should sudden cardiac arrest occur in a scenario involving a Taser discharge to the chest area, it would place the law enforcement agency, the officer, and Taser International in the difficult situation of trying to ascertain what role, if any, (the device) could have played," according to the manual.

The manual includes a graphic displaying the human body and "preferred target areas." The company recommends firing Tasers anywhere but at the head, neck and chest. The manual says to avoid chest shots "when possible" and "unless legally justified."

Translation: Taser International is now indemnified from any further deaths from cardiac arrest. If a cop shoots you in the chest with a taser and you die, that's on their head not ours.